"The Rise Foundation was born several years ago after my daughter and I began her quest for college. After applying and visiting various colleges in the US, my daughter chose to attend Spelman College located in Atlanta, Georgia. Oblivious to the expenses of attending this prestigious institution, I could not discourage her, but rather encourage her to pursue her dream of going away to college.

 

Several weeks after my daughter moved into her dorm, she received a letter from the school's financial aid office informing her that a percentage of her tuition was due immediately. Putting God first and knowing that he did not bring us this far to leave us, I was beyond thankful when blessings started to pour in from every direction and all of our debts and worries were no longer an issue.

 

Although I had overcome my personal battle, which I am truly thankful for, I could not help but wonder about other single parents who were also going through similar situations. I wanted to assist those who were not as fortunate as we were to fund their child's education.

 

Through all the struggles, I founded The Rise Foundation of Illinois. With this organization, I plan to not only provide resources for children of single-family households but also offer resources and workshops to help educate more single parents during the college planning process. My vision is to one day see everyone who comes through our program become empowered by their own success."

 

-Christine Tyler, Founder & President